Connection device for watches



Feb. 19, 1929.

J. DINHOFER CONNECTION DEVICE FOR WATCHES Filed April 12, 1928 v INVENTOR glnjz y er 1 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

. N ED ISTA'TES' PATENT OFFICE.

miss nmnornn, or NEW YORK/1v. Y.

cornice-non nnvrcr: FOR wa'rcnns.

Application filed April 12, i928. Serial No. 269,386.

This invention relates to a device intended to connect a wrist strap or ribbon toa wrist watch'or other type of watch and has for its object to provideadevice which shall beof extremely simple and sturdy construction; which shall becomposed of few parts; and which shallbe entirely reliable in operation V as well as ornamental in appearance.

With these objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, in view, I have devised the particular. arrangement of parts hereinafter' set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

Reference is'to behad tothe accompanying drawing, forming a part hereofin which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved connection device with parts of a Watch being shown in section to illustrate the manner in which the device is .attached'to a watch;

Figure 2 is a sectional view onthe line 22 of Figure '1, lookingin the direction of the arrows; g

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connection member in its open position; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the connection device in its open position with the locking member moved from between the connecting arms.

Throughout the various views of the drawings, similar reference characters designate similar parts.

In the embodiment of my invention disclosed in the accompanying drawing,.1 indicates a part of a watch case of the wrist watch type. This type of Watch is usually provided with a pair ofspaced outstanding lugs 2 which afford an attachment to a connection 7 member usually employed on the wrist strap or band. These lugs 2 are each provided with an aperture 3 extending through them.

At 4 is shown a part of the connection memher which is in the form of a 'three-sided frame having a pair of spaced resilientarms 6 which are integrally connected at one of their ends by a cross-bar 5. At their opposite end, each of the arms 6 is provided with a laterally extending or off-set projecting portion 7. These two portions are adapted to project into the openings 3 in the lugs 2 on the watch case and so connect the connection member to said case. The frame 4 just de scribed is preferably made of a single piece of resilient or spring wire and the arms 6 are preferably bent inwardly towards one another .and when in their normal position, or position of rest, the distance between the outerends ofthe projecting parts 7 is preferably less thanthe distance between the two open ings 3 in'the case;

Through this arrangement, the connection member may be readily attached to the'watch by placing the frame 3 so that the off-set ends are aligned with their adjacentopenings 3,,whereupon the arms 6 are spread apart a suitable distention memberto cause the ends 7 to be projected into the open-, I ings 3 and held therein.

g The distention member just mentioned is shown at 8 and the same consists of a platelike section of sheet metal having one of its ends rolled at 9 about the cross-bar 5 on the frame to provide abearing for the member 8. At its opposite end, the plate 8 is folded as atlO 'to' provide an under-surface 13 .which extendsbackward to the bearing '9.

Adjacent to the fold 10, the oppositeedges of the member 8 are inwardly notched or recessed as at 11 and 12. These recesses are adapted to snap into engagement with the arms 6 and hold the member 8 so that it occupies a position; between the arms 6, holding said arms distended apart with their ends 7 projected into the apertures 3 in the watch case as isclearly shown in Figure 1.

From the foregoing, the manner in which my improved connection member operates will be clearly understood. The device in its open position is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

At this time, the ends 7 onthe frame 4 are spaced apart a distance less than the'distance between the apertures 3 so that the connection device may be readily placed in position be tween these apertures with the ends 7 on the long as the distention member 8 occupies its 7 position between the arms 6.

To free the device from the watch case, it

is merely necessary toswing the distention member 8 about its pivot so that it moves outward from between the arms 6 whereupon said arms 6, through their natural resiliency.

'will spring inward or toward one another about the distention member 8.

While I have mentioned my invention as being applicable to watches of the wrist watch type, it is obvious that it may be used in connection with other types of Watches, wherein it is desired to connect a ribbon or strap to a watch that is provided with a pair of spaced openings to receive a connection member. I

Having described one embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. An article of the class described comprising a frame composed of a pair of spaced resilient arms having their ends terminating in laterally extending parts adapted to enter, openings in. a watch case, a cross piece connecting the arms, and an extension member pivoted on the cross piece and adapted to spread the arms apart when the same is moved to a position between said arms.

2. An article of the class described comprising a frame composed of a pair of spaced resilient arms connected by a cross piece, the ends of said arms opposite to the cross piece extending outwardly, a plate member pivoted on the cross piece and adapted to spread the arms apart when the same is moved to a position between said arms, and notches on the plate adapted to snap into engagement with the arms.

3. An article of the class described comprising a wire frame having a pair of spaced resilient arms terminating in outwardly extending portions adapted to enter spaced openings in. a Watch case, said arms being normally spaced apart for a distance less than that between the openings in the watch case, a plate member pivoted on the frame capable of being moved to occupy a position between the arms, .and notches in the opposite edges of the plate adapted to snap into engage-- ment with the arms. 7 Y

4. An article of the class described comprising a frame having a pair of spaced arms provided with ends adapted to-enter' openings in a watch case, means for spreading said arms apart comprising a member movably mounted on the frame and capable of movement to a position between the arms, and means on said member for engaging with the arms to hold said arms in their distended position while said member is located in be 

